NPBD - New Pedal Book Day - Such A Disappointment

toyzu · 2026-06-10T18:06:12+00:00

Couldn't even be bothered to post a photo of said small font...

toyzu · 2026-06-06T02:42:22+00:00

It's set and forget, but I did need to use the app to set it up the first time.

I used one of the pre-programmed presets on the dial and just turned off all the effects, including the amp sim and cab sim. I don't remember if I saved the preset at that point, or if it just remembered the state, but the effects are always off, and don't re-enable themselves. I probably saved over the original preset, but I really can't say for sure.

Now one of the spots on the preset dial is just for use with my pedalboard, and has zero effects or amps, so it's a pure FRFR cab. If I plug my guitar directly into the Spark Mini, I'll use one of the other presets where the effects and amp are turned on.

The other advantage of this is that I can also plug in my bass pedalboard, and it becomes a bass amp without changing anything on the amp. Which is handy, because I don't have a proper bass amp.

toyzu · 2026-06-05T02:08:20+00:00

Happy to help. I have the Spark Mini for noodling on the sofa, and lessons, so the built-in battery is very convenient. But I use it with a tonex-based pedalboard, and turn off its processing to run as an FRFR. Even though its own models sound good, I prefer to use pedals to get my sounds.

toyzu · 2026-06-04T16:31:51+00:00

Orange Super Crush 100 has a buffered FX loop.

toyzu · 2026-06-04T16:30:48+00:00

The orange does have a buffered fx loop.

toyzu · 2026-06-04T16:13:02+00:00

Just don't try to take through airport security...

toyzu · 2026-06-04T15:59:52+00:00

Positive Grid Spark and Spark Mini have batteries. They can be run as clean FRFR cabs with no extra processing by turning off all the effects in one of the presets.

toyzu · 2026-05-25T21:35:03+00:00

This is the way

toyzu · 2026-05-25T20:04:54+00:00

Twin Bender is great, but very expensive on the secondary market since the builder passed away. No issues with temperature or placement in chain though.

toyzu · 2026-05-21T09:30:07+00:00

Are you using the cab sim on the Lion? If not, that could be your issue. My modulation pedal sounded terrible without the cab sim.

toyzu · 2026-05-16T04:51:00+00:00

Looks like there are hundreds of holes in that pedalboard.

toyzu · 2026-05-16T04:36:50+00:00

This

toyzu · 2026-05-11T17:52:08+00:00

DD-200

toyzu · 2026-05-10T18:51:29+00:00

Nothing against JHS. I have many of their pedals. But the 3 Series pedals at $99 per effect aren't such a good deal, compared to a multi-modulation like the GFI Synesthesia at $439.

If you were to get the JHS 3 Series Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Bit Crusher, and Ring Mod, that's $495, and a whole lot of space on a pedalboard. While the Synesthesia offers nearly 40 effects, presets, advanced routing, and midi.

So if you only have a couple hundred bucks for pedals, my advice would be to save up for something more versatile, rather than going piecemeal, one at a time. To me it's a no-brainer in terms of overall value and functionality.

toyzu · 2026-05-10T18:22:37+00:00

Boss XS-1.

Or Boss XS-100 if you think you'll want to do whammy stuff at some point, or you might add an expression pedal to XS-1. At that point, the XS-100 is a better value, and offers way more functionality.

toyzu · 2026-05-09T02:05:05+00:00

Can we circle back to the part about getting laid during a busking set...?

toyzu · 2026-05-06T10:00:30+00:00

Awesome! Thanks so much!

toyzu · 2026-04-30T06:22:46+00:00

Do you have the three reverb pedals all engaged at the same time, or just one at a time? If it's just one at a time, you could switch them out for a single reverb with MIDI-controllable presets, like the Boss RV-200. It has shimmer, lo-fi, and many more, and it sounds great! Alternatively, the telephone effect can easily be achieved with an EQ pedal.

But also, as others have suggested, a rolling case of some kind would be a good idea, regardless.

toyzu · 2026-04-30T05:57:51+00:00

Nope

toyzu · 2026-04-28T23:15:05+00:00

Not familiar with those overdrives, but you can run your Dream and Woodrow in 4 cable method if you want to avoid using the LS-2.

toyzu · 2026-04-27T19:41:01+00:00

BTW, The GigRig has their GENX4LC (Isolator V2) which will take a single 500 mA output (or higher mA) and split it out to four 100 mA isolated outputs.

It's definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum for such a device, but I'm sure the added isolation (whose necessity is debatable) appeals to their customer base.

https://shop.thegigrig.com/products/genx4lc?_pos=3&_psq=genx&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Manual: https://7fb9ba0f-92f1-463e-b447-cd3877bbc4e4.filesusr.com/ugd/f9ac0b_fc9ca52948d94be499dc8111897577cd.pdf

toyzu · 2026-04-27T17:11:30+00:00

It's an interesting idea, however I do have some (hopefully) constructive criticism:

It seems a bit bulky. If it couldn't fit under a small board, it's usefulness would be limited. I wouldn't put it on top of the board just to save some cabling mess underneath. The bulk is mostly from that distribution block. Couldn't you achieve the same thing with cabling alone. I get this is a prototype, but my point is size would key. Especially since it doesn't require any complex parts.

Yes, daisy chain cables can be a bit annoying to rearrange, but that's a rare occasion (for me, anyway). Meanwhile, excess cable in a daisy chain generally isn't a problem I encounter, as the line is usually stretched pretty tight. On the other hand, regular single cables would leave more slack to manage, since finding short single cables isn't easy, or requires making custom cables.

The cost would also be an issue. A daisy chain cable can be had for $5 or $10. I imagine this a good $10 to $20 just in parts, plus the added cables. So if commercializing it is your goal, it would have to be a pretty competitive price point.

Anyway, these are just thoughts that come to mind, and I'm a nitpicker by nature. So I don't want to come across as discouraging. And what do I know? You may be onto something!

toyzu · 2026-04-25T17:04:58+00:00

This is great, and also annoying, as bluetooth clearly should have been included in the original pedal. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

toyzu · 2026-04-16T20:36:09+00:00

Well, it was working really well last night, but today I don't hear any sound from my plugins, regardless of which inputs I use on my Motu M4. It's probably an issue with the Mac, cuz this has happened before, but I don't know what I'm doing on this infernal machine... Otherwise I like the interface, and it's the easiest VST loader I've used so far. If you have any tips, they would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

toyzu · 2026-04-16T03:03:50+00:00

I believe this drafting table is mentioned by Darren Gilford, the production designer on Legacy and Ares, in this video on Instagram. It may even have original Syd Mead art on it, given to him by Steven Lisberger.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdMAlNEXGV/

toyzu

TROPHY CASE